George Russell has stated that he wants to know where his future in F1 is by the Hungarian GP at the end of July. The Brit has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes for 2022 as his contract with Williams comes to an end this year. Lewis Hamilton has also previously said it would be good to get a deal in place by the summer break and Russell feels that Williams and Mercedes also want to know what his future holds beyond 2021. "I think, naturally, we all want something decided either way by the summer break, really," Russell told Autosport. “I think it's in everybody's best interests. “But to be honest, I'm really not pushing the subject with anybody really - with Mercedes, with Williams. Because I am purely just focused on my job here. “And I know that, as I've always said, if I perform to my potential [that I] believe I'm capable of, you're putting yourself in the shop window. I think that race in Bahrain (when Russell drove for Mercedes as a one-off) gave me a unique opportunity to almost prove it. “Whereas, prior to that, it was always a small unknown - because of the situation I found myself in [with Williams]. So, I'm really not pushing the subject. Just enjoying every single race, enjoying where I find myself." Russell also alluded to wanting to race against Hamilton to test himself against the best drivers in the sport. He thinks Formula 1 would benefit from Hamilton remaining in the sport for a few more seasons. "I think it's really exciting that Lewis has openly been talking about the next couple of years and it's clear that he's still performing at an incredibly high level," said Russell. “I think it will be amazing for the sport, and for Mercedes, if he were to continue. And obviously, as any young driver, you want to go against the best, and Lewis is the best.” Russell was asked whether the only options were a fourth season with Williams or a move to Mercedes for 2022. "I mean, obviously, there's a lot of talk about a promotion to, or 'a move', I should say, to Mercedes," answered Russell. “But I think for all of us at the end of the day – Mercedes do manage me, and they do want the best for my career. They are in a unique position, in that sense. “But they just want the best for me and if they believe I deserve the opportunity, then it'll be there. If they don't believe I deserve it, then they will find me a seat somewhere where I can continue to develop. "I feel like I'm ready to fight for world championships and fight for victories. I feel ready right now to be able to do that, let alone with another year under my belt by the end of this season. "wherever I find myself next year, I want to be in a car that will give me the chance to win races because I didn't fight my whole career to get to F1 to be fighting for 15th and 16th. “I fought my whole career to get here and to win and that's what I'm so focused more than ever on doing.”
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